Guam - Building Energy Code
Guam requires new homes and renovations to meet the 2017 Guam Tropical Energy Code, adopted January 22, 2021, so your building should be designed for better energy efficiency and lower operating costs. You don't apply for anything; your designer and builder handle compliance through plan review and field inspections by the Guam Department of Public Works. If you disagree with a Department decision, you can appeal to the Contractors Licensing Board.
New buildings and renovations, both residential and commercial, must meet the minimum energy-efficiency design requirements of the 2017 Guam Tropical Energy Code, part of the Guam Building Code since January 22, 2021. Engineers and architects conduct plan reviews and building inspectors conduct field inspections, and buildings already under construction must comply with major safety issues where practical. Appeals of Department of Public Works decisions go to the Contractors Licensing Board, and other appeals go to the Territorial Planning Commission.
The 2017 Guam Tropical Energy Code was adopted into the Guam Building Code on January 22, 2021, setting minimum energy-efficiency design requirements for all new public and private buildings and renovations in the residential and commercial sectors. The Department of Public Works administers and enforces the code, can administer the latest edition of the Uniform Building Code, must notify affected parties when it is updated, and must publish Guam amendments. Plan reviews are done by engineers and architects, field inspections by trained inspectors, and appeals are heard by the Contractors Licensing Board or the Territorial Planning Commission depending on the type.
Program details
- Program ID
- 2973
- Last updated
- 1/9/2026
Eligibility
- Sectors
- commercial residential
- Technologies
- comprehensive measures/whole building other ee
Program summary
Much of the information presented in this summary is drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). For more detailed information about building energy codes, visit the DOE and BCAP web sites.
The 2017 Guam Tropical Energy Code was adopted as part of the Guam Building Code on January 22, 2021. The purpose of the new code is to provide minimum design requirements in order to achieve energy efficiency in all new buildings and renovations.
The Uniform Building Code (UBC) was adopted with provisions that allow the Guam Department of Public Works to administer the latest edition of the code. Buildings under construction must comply with major safety issues, if practical. When the UBC is updated, the Guam Department of Public Works must notify all affected parties to comply with the updated version. Guam amendments to the UBC must be published.
The Guam Department of Public Works enforces the UBC for private and public buildings. Engineers and architects conduct all plan reviews. Trained and experienced building inspectors conduct field inspections. Appeals to Department of Public Works decisions are heard by the Contractors Licensing Board. Other appeals (not on Department of Public Works decisions) are heard by the Territorial Planning Commission.
Contact & resources
- Contact email
- edborja@commail.gov.gu
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
